Are you over the age of 30? Do you remember as kids when we had to wait? Wait for what, you ask? Well, everything! Wait for Saturday mornings to watch cartoons. Wait for a song to play on the radio so that you could tape it, hoping the DJ wouldn’t talk over the whole intro. Wait in line for concert tickets all night, because there was no ticketmaster.com? Or wait for your turn to watch TV, use the one telephone in your house, to receive things in the mail. I do, and I’ve been trying to explain it to The Boy; however, he just looks at me like I’m an idiot as he plays his Leapster and listens to his IPod.
My findings as a parent, regarding this overabundance of technologies in our home have been littered with pros and cons. Who doesn’t need to throw Dora on to catch a break? I know I do, and often! But now, my kids ask…No…demand for things and expect them in a flash. Find a song on the IPod, put in this DVD, and just look online for the new toy I have to have. Gimme snacks, attention, books, toys, love, affection, etc…. I just can’t serve them fast enough. One of The Girls favorite words is “NOW!”
And it occurred to me, they are going to expect this kind of treatment out in the real world; and fly off the handle when they don’t get something immediately! You know, have real, hardcore, Orson Welles worthy rants when they don’t get what they want. I can’t have this, it’s just not acceptable!
How do we teach patience and moderation in a world littered with unlimited technology, immediate response, and overabundance? Move to a farm? Cut them off completely? I know the super-moms will argue everything in moderation, but when you live in a society where there is no moderation, how do you come out ahead? This one’s gonna puzzle me for a while. But, in the meantime, I have to go download the latest Kidz Bop album for The Boy, consult WebMd about a suspicious substance coming out of The Girl’s nose, check the news feed on Facebook, and order dinner to be delivered to my door in under 30 minutes. Man, I wonder where my kids get this need for instant gratification from?!
I actually snorted at the "Wait for a song to play on the radio so that you could tape it, hoping the DJ wouldn’t talk over the whole intro."
ReplyDelete...I SO remember that!! -happy sigh-
Just stopped in from TMB and am now following you on GFC :)